10 Things Parents Should Know About Brave (GeekDad Weekly Rewind)

Don’t risk it. Brave is going to be a very popular film and you’ll want good seats. But more importantly, you don’t want to miss the Pixar short, La Luna, that appears before the feature. This Oscar-nominated short is wonderfully touching and whimsical and will leave you with a huge smile on your face. Don’t miss it!

2. What’s it about?

Brave is the story of a fiery, red-headed princess, Merida, who’s uninterested in all of the finer trappings of being Scottish royalty. A bit of a tomboy (or would that be Tàmhas-boy?), she is determined to make her own path in life. However, her defiance may end up costing her more than she — and the kingdom — are willing to sacrifice. Ultimately, it’s really a story about a girl and her mother — with enough spears, arrows, and bears thrown in for action-lovers in the audience to be happy too.

3. Will my kids like it?

Your kids will love it. Since we saw the movie, it’s pretty much all my kids have talked about. They loved the story and felt it was both exciting and funny. Surprisingly, when I asked them what was most memorable about Brave, they said that the movie “has a good life lesson” … but then they go back to talking about the bare butts and the other goofy parts of the movie.

4. Will I like it?

Absolutely. As a result of Pixar rewriting their animation system, the film is incredibly beautiful, fluid, and just jaw-droppingly, astoundingly gorgeous. The forests are flooded with detail from tree leaves all the way down to moss on the trunks and the fungus on rotting stumps. Merida’s hair bounces on its curls and flows in the wind as she charges through the countryside on her loyal steed. In fact, there are parts that are so lifelike it makes you question if it’s really animation. Meanwhile, the story has some predictable turns; it feels more like a Disney fairytale than the typical Pixar tour de force. Still, there is plenty of humor and lots of action, making for a very enjoyable experience overall.

5. Is it worth paying more to see it in 3-D?

Actually, yes. I am not a fan of 3-D, but I really enjoyed the 3-D in Brave. It was mostly a subtle effect, which did enhance the film enough to justify the upcharge.

6. When’s the best time for a bathroom break?

The movie and La Luna run just over 90 minutes in total, but should young ones need to head for the bathroom, there are two times when a trip makes the most sense. The first comes early, about 20 minutes into the movie, when the other clans come to visit. The second is about an hour in when Merida and her mom go fishing. But don’t be gone long — the movie is very fast moving from beginning to end and you don’t want to miss anything.

7. Is the Pizza Planet delivery truck really in it?

Yes, the rocket-adorned pickup that has been in every Pixar film except The Incredibles appears in Brave as well. While we’re not going to tell you where, throughout the film there are also lots of other Easter eggs that Pixar has become well known for.

8. Will I want to see it again?

You will. After the first 15 minutes, I found myself thinking about my weekend schedule, trying to work in another chance to see this movie. Not only is the movie very enjoyable, there are so many details going on across the screen that Brave definitely deserves a second viewing — or more.

9. How does it compare to other Pixar movies?

This is a bit like comparing Rembrandts. Everyone has their favorite, but I think Brave probably ends up mid-pack. While the animation is incredibly superior to previous films, the story lacks some of the verve and vigor of other pictures in their catalog. Still, it’s a Pixar movie, which puts it head and shoulders above most everything else.

10. Do I need to stay after the credits?

You will want to stay. After the movie ends, there’s a nice dedication to Steve Jobs, who left a lasting mark on Pixar, and then the credits roll with an army’s worth of people who were involved in the film. Heck, the list of babies born during the production almost fills the whole screen from curtain to curtain. But at the end, after the last publicity assistant and driver are listed, there’s a very funny little scene that you’ll want to see.

It depends on your kids, I guess. Younger children may certainly be frightened when a big, nasty bear attacks Merida and her family during the movie. (There are a couple instances of this.) Also, and I’m dancing around giving anything away here, there’s also a change in Merida’s mother and their relationship is affected. This may be confusing or scary to some younger kids. As with any movie, if you’re unsure if your kids might be scared, it can’t hurt to pre-screen it first.